Muscle strengthening body frames

ABSTRACT

The present invention features a a muscle strengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body. This inventive muscle strengthening body frame apparatus can be worn on isolated body parts as non-apparel items for direct longitudinal resistive forces exerted on the body part of the wearer during movement. The apparatus comprises a frame assembly consisting of a first and second portions which are joined together by a resistance bar. The resistance bar provides the resistive forces providing muscular activity to adjacent body parts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to the provisional application SerialNo. 60/307,519 filed Jul. 24, 2001 entitled “Muscle Strengthening BodyFrames.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an exerciser apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a muscle strengthening resistance exerciser.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] The prior art is replete with devices designed to be worn on thehuman body in order to create muscle tone, and enhance muscle strengthby providing exercise for the wearer.

[0006] The U.S. patents to Dicker (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,708,976 and5,570,472) are for a Resistant Exercise Shirt and Pants. This inventionis directed toward a resistive exercise suit that has a resistive shirtand resistive trousers. The shirt uses tension bands on sleeve frontsand backs and attachments to central elastic blocks on the front andback of the shirt. The resistive exercise trousers fit snugly upon thewearer with adjustable straps and stirrups. Vertical resistive panelsrunning along the length of the trousers serve to resist the motion ofthe leg in any direction.

[0007] The U.S. patent to Earl (U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,428) is for anExercise Device of Adjustable Resistance for Flexing of Muscles of theLegs and Torso. This device is designed particularly for the lowerportion of the body and comprises a torso belt-like element whichconnects to leg straps worn on the legs. The connection is made viaelasticized members which provide the resistance for the device.

[0008] Wilkinson discloses in U.S. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,852) anEnergy Expenditure Garment. This garment contains elastic ring sectionsthat provide resistance forces to the body of the wearer.

[0009] Castellanos discloses an Elastic Resistance Exerciser Secured atthe Waist in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,647. Again, herein lies a devicedesigned specifically to be worn on a particular body part. Disclosed isa belt-like device with prescribed attachments for providing elasticresistance for exercising.

[0010] None of these patents either teaches or suggests the inventivemuscle strengthening body frame that can be worn on isolated body partsas non-apparel items for direct longitudinal resistive forces exerted onthe body part of the wearer during movement. As will be seen in greaterdetail hereinafter, the present invention involves a resistance bearingdevice which can be worn on various body parts that is intended toprovide muscle strengthening when worn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention features a muscle strengthening exerciserto be worn at specific parts of the body. This inventive musclestrengthening body frame apparatus can be worn on isolated body parts asnon-apparel items for direct longitudinal resistive forces exerted onthe body part of the wearer during movement. The apparatus comprises aframe assembly consisting of first and second portions which are joinedtogether by a resistance bar. The resistance bar provides the resistiveforces providing muscular activity to adjacent body parts.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body whichis designed to create direct resistance at that portion of the body.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body that islight-weight and easy to use.

[0014] It is also an object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body thatcan be applied to various body parts.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body thatcreates muscle exercising and toning resistance without employing theuse of heavy, burdensome weights.

[0016] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body thatenables a wearer with insufficient time to pursue an exercise regimen,the opportunity to obtain a desirable amount of exercise.

[0017] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body that isusable in a number of different fitness settings, to enable a moreeffective exercise of certain portions of the body while the wearer iswalking, running, swimming, playing sports, utilizing exercise machinesor the like.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body that isof compact construction and is economical.

[0019] These and other objects, features and advantages will be moreapparent form a study of the enclosed text and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtainedby reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunctionwith the detail description thereof and in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe inventive muscle strengthening body frame.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the muscle strengtheningframe, in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a front view of the resistance bar, in accordance withthe present invention.

[0024]FIG. 4 is an environmental view of the muscle strengthening bodyframe in use on the torso area of a user.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a side view of the muscle strengthening body frame inuse on the torso area of a user.

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the muscle strengthening bodyframe of FIGS. 4 and 5, in use as resistance is applied on the torsoarea.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a front view of the inventive device as worn of the kneeof a user.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a side view of the inventive device as worn of the kneeof a user.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a side view of the inventive device in use in the areaof the knee of a wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance ofthe constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote theprogress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0031] Generally speaking this invention relates to a musclestrengthening exerciser to be worn at specific parts of the body toenhance muscle tone and strength by targeting specific muscles in aparticular area of the body. In accordance with the present invention, amuscle strengthening body frame (MSBF) 100, is shown generally at FIGS.1 and 2. The MSBF 100 is designed with the shape and correspondingelements such that the frames 10 are snugly fit onto the desired bodyparts for use on various areas of the human body. Once placed on thebody part, the MSBF's are designed to apply direct resistance on a bodyarea by creating direct resistance, along a suitable distance, a fixedforce between two movable body parts.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the MSBF 100 has three major parts. Theseparts comprise a frame assembly having at least two attachment means,being the upper attachment band 10 a and the lower attachment band 10 b.These two attachment bands 10 a and 10 b are connected to one another byat least one a resistance bar 20.

[0033] Each of the attachment bands 10 have means at the distal ends forsecuring the MSBF 100 to the body. The securing can be done via anysuitable fastening means known in the art such as, but not limited to,hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. VELCRO™), buckles, buttons, and snaps. Thesecuring means is shown illustratively at 30.

[0034] The attachment bands 10 each have at least one connection unitformed by an extension portion 12 which houses the resistance bar 20.The upper extension portion 12 a and the lower extension portion 12 bextend toward each other along a longitudinal axis with the resistancebar 20 attached to each, as shown in the side perspective view of FIG.2. The attachment bands 10 may be made of a layered material to allowhousing of the resistance bar 20. The extension portions 12 preferablyhas means to allow one or both ends of the resistance bar 20 to move fora small displacement inside the extension portions 12 to permit theresistance bar 20 length to be longer in the extended position than inthe relaxed position.

[0035] The material of the attachment bands 10 may also be comprised ofa material which retains its general shape for enhanced fitting on bodyparts. These materials are known as shape-retaining memory materials andmay comprise metals, metal alloys, natural fabrics, synthetic fabricsand any combinations thereof.

[0036] The resistance bar 20, as shown in FIG. 3, may be made of anysuitable material which provides elastic, reciprocal movement betweenthe upper and lower attachment bands 10 and which bend against its ownresistance. The resistance bar 20 may be comprised of natural andsynthetic fibers, metallic materials, elastomers and any combinationsthereof which may provide tension forces on the body area duringlongitudinal movement. The resistance bar 20 may also compriseappropriately configured spring structures or may be a mechanism ordesign that bends against its own resistance.

[0037] The MSBF 100 may be used on various parts of the human body.FIGS. 4-9 illustrate the muscle strengthening body frame 100 being usedon several positions on the body. For appropriate fitting on thesevarious parts, the MSBF 100 may be manufactured in different sizes.

[0038] For example, as seen in FIGS. 4-6, the MSBF 100 is shown in useon the torso area. Herein, the MSBF 100 may be of a large size forappropriate fitting on the upper body, specifically targeting theabdominal (FIG. 4) or back (FIGS. 5 & 6) area. Likewise, for appropriatefitting for use on the leg/knee area (FIGS. 7-9), the MSBF 100 may be ofa medium size. The sizes are exemplary relative terms to referencerelative sizes of the device as used on the human body.

[0039]FIGS. 6 and 9 show the operation of the MSBF 100 as it may be usedon various body parts. With movement of the body area, the resistancebar 20 provides tension forces along a longitudinal axis relative to thebody part. Herein, these forces provide the means for strengthening thebody part during movement.

[0040] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particularoperating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilledin the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examplechosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes andmodifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spiritand scope of the invention.

[0041] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to beprotected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A muscle strengthening body frame apparatus forproviding direct resistance on a body portion of a wearer, saidapparatus comprising: at least two frame assemblies comprising a firstframe, and a second frame; and at least one resistance bar operativelyconnected to said first and second frames, said at least two frameassemblies consisting of a body extending along a horizontal axis withsaid resistance bar joining said frames, said resistance bar extendinglaterally therebetween such that longitudinal resistive forces areexerted on the body portion of the wearer during movement.
 2. The musclestrengthening body frame apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, said first andsecond frames are made of shape-retaining memory materials ofpredetermined dimensions for recurrent fittings on particular bodyparts.
 3. The muscle strengthening body frame apparatus of claim 2wherein, said first and second frames each have at least one extensionportion each extension portion consisting of a protrusion extendingalong a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis of thebody of said first and second frames; and said resistive bar attached toeach of said extension portions.
 4. The muscle strengthening body frameapparatus of claim 3, wherein said shape-retaining memory material iscomprised of materials from the group: metals, metal alloys, naturalfabrics, synthetic fabrics and combinations thereof.
 5. The musclestrengthening body frame apparatus of claim 4 wherein, said first andsecond frames each further comprise fastening means for securement ontothe body part of the wearer.
 6. The muscle strengthening body frameapparatus of claim 5 wherein, said fastening means consists of thegroup: hook-and-loop fasteners, buckles, buttons, and snaps.